Exmoor Gold, 4.5%The Original Golden Ale

In the world of beer the eyes have it when it comes to ordering ale, something that Exmoor completely understand back in 1986 when they produced the first modern Golden Ale, Exmoor Gold. Designed as a single-malt beer, this was a stunning counter balance to the traditional view of beer — which it had to be as brown as an old sideboard or as coal black as Irish Dry Stout. Exmoor Gold, instead, was the colour of Chardonnay or Carling, sparkling in the glass and appealing to both ale drinkers and lager lovers. As well as looking good, by golly it tasted good, with fresh and fruity flavours tripping across the tongue hand in hand with a soft and comforting malty centre.

In the glass, Exmoor Gold is an appetising and enticing gold in colour. The nose is an interplay between a fresh bouquet of grassy and floral hop and a subtly soft, fluffy caramel-tinged maltiness. The palate sees more balance between gentle grainy maltiness and sprightly floral, citrusy fresh hop fruitiness. The finish is bittersweet with hints of citrus fruit weaving in and out. Try this with a Thai seafood stir-fry, where the delicate hop fruitiness and soft maltiness would add colour to the various spices, or also try with barbequed chicken marinated in honey.